The NATO operation OCEAN SHIELD, involving direct counter piracy actions on the Horn of Africa and capacity building for the regional navies, has been extended until the end of 2016 following the national defence ministers meeting of June 3rd 2014. In deed, the programme was coming to its scheduled end. Despite the considerable decrease in the number of attacks in the WIO, and the absence of captures since May 2012, the root causes for maritime piracy are considered to remain. In a context of strategic shifts and uncertainties for the Organisation, NATO has decided to pursue security action in the WIO region while further assistance and capacity building programmes are undertaken to stabilise the region on the long term. Therefore the NATO MARCOM will continue Ocean Shield and maintain a close collaboration with EUNAVFOR and other navy forces involved in the protection of the WIO maritime routes.
Source: www.aco.nato.int
source: MARCOM HQ
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